Keighley 30 Ilkley 7 - Revenge was sweet for Keighley as they atoned for their heaviest defeat of the season in December at Stacks Field, Ilkley with an impressive victory at Utley.

Three top class first half tries and some inspired goal kicking by stand off Johnny Harrison allowed Keighley to surge to an unassailable half time lead of 27 points, and whilst they struggled at times in the second half against a resurgent Ilkley side, their resolve was such that victory was never in doubt.

An early penalty goal miss by Harrison was soon forgotten when wing man Richard Cavender's classy side step brought him a try on 10 minutes after a neat pass by Harrison, who added the conversion.

Keighley were outplaying the visitors in all departments as play was concentrated in the Ilkley half. Matthew Cox was a regular threat with his penetrating running from full back and the score was soon increased when Harrison converted a penalty award.

With forwards Leigh Sugden, Andy Bennett and Pete Schofield gaining the hard yards, Keighley continued to attack the visitors' line and there was no more popular try scorer than prop Paul Sinfield who latched onto Harrison's clever reverse pass to burst over from 5 metres with Harrison again adding the extra points.

Ilkley at this stage, offered little resistance, handling errors spoiling their few opportunities to make progress and Keighley exploited their defensive weaknesses with their 3rd try. Once more it was Cox who created the chance, carving through on a 50 metre run before handing on to Cavender who found scrum half Scott Amos in support for the try-scoring pass. Against a strong wind and almost from the touchline, Harrison steered the conversion over, before adding his 3rd penalty goal early in the second half after centre Nigel Curr's break had taken play within striking distance.

At last, however, assisted by the strengthening wind, the visitors began to play to their potential. Pressure on the Keighley line finally brought a try for stand off Tim Barley, converted by centre Simon Smith, and they would then have increased their tally when, for once, wingman Dan Nulty escaped Keighley's clutches on a 50 metre sprint to the line where he inexplicably spilled the ball as he attempted to touch down.

It was to be their final real scoring chance, Keighley again closed the door on their ambitions, holding out without too much effort for a clear and well deserved win which sees them leapfrog over Ilkley into 4th place in the league.